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offenburg to basel

Plan to stay in gengenbach. But would like to take a day trip to basel, switzerland. Train options??? I assume that I can use a Konus card from gengenbach to Offenburg. Then ticket Offenburg to Basel. Thoughts????

Posted by
21184 posts

My Konus Flyer says your Konus Ticket is good to Basel SBB station. Regional trains only.

A 24 EUR Baden-Wuerttemberg Ticket is good as far as Basel Bad Hbf.

Since all the regional trains terminate at Basel Bad Hbf, that is likely as far as practical with a Konus card. Then you can tour Basel by tram.

Posted by
4684 posts

The Konus or Baden-Wurttemberg passes can only be used on regional trains, in which case the train journey will be over two hours each way, which is long for a day trip.

Posted by
8889 posts

There is an hourly Regional train from Offenburg to Basel via Freiburg, and both the Konus card and Baden-Würtemburg card are valid on it. However it is excruciatingly slow. It sits in Freiburg for 10 minutes so it can get overtaken by the ICE trains.
I would stump up the extra and pay for an ICE train from Offenburg to Basel.

The regional trains from Offenburg terminate at Basel Badischer Bahnhof (except during the rush hour), the ICE trains continue to Basel SBB and onward to other Swiss destinations. Either station is OK for Basel city centre. Frequent trams from outside both stations. Ticket machines take both Swiss Frank and Euro coins. Many shops in Basel also take Euros, but at an inferior exchange rate (1:1).

Posted by
211 posts

thanks for the replies. I checked the db site and they show a roundtrip fare of close to 100E for two travelers regular fare. I don't mind the slow trains....I enjoy the scenery and the ride. I assume that if you have your konus card it is accepted for the return from Basel?

Posted by
8889 posts

"I assume that if you have your konus card it is accepted for the return from Basel?" - Yes, under the same rules as going the other way. Accepted on the regional trains, which are slow and overtaken by the ICE; but not accepted on the ICE trains.

I checked on the DB website ( https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml ). For tomorrow it is showing between €29.90 and €66.90 per person each way depending on train chosen. If I pick a random date in April, I get prices from €19.90.
Times 2 people and both ways that is €79.60. ICE trains have big discounts for advance purchase.

BTW the ICE takes 1h05 each way, the regional 2h15. A big difference.

Posted by
21184 posts

Or with the Konus card, stop off in Freiburg for dinner. Not too much in the way of bargain dining in Basel. Mickey D's at Badischer Bahnhof?

Posted by
211 posts

To all...thanks for the information. It will be put to good use. In country 5 Sept to 22 sept